An Epistle to the Unconverted Reader

By Richard Alleine

Reader,

How well were it, if there were no more unconverted ones among us than those to whom this is directed! Unconverted persons, how many are there? but how few unconverted readers, especially of such books as this before thee! A play or romance better suits the desires, and therefore must have more of the eye of such; what will cherish the evil heart only is most grateful, not what will change it. How many are there, to whom this is directed, who will not know that these are the men! And how little hope is there that this excellent Treatise should reach its end with those that apprehend themselves not concerned in it! Art thou not one of them? Art thou a convert, or art thou yet in thy sins? What is sin? What is conversion? It may be thou canst tell me neither, and yet thou sayest a convert thou art. But to what purpose is it then likely to be for the servant of God to treat with thee about this matter! Let him bid thee believe. Thou art a believer already; let him bid thee repent and turn to the Lord. That work, D2 thou sayest, is not to do now. What can there be said to this man that is likely to bring him to good? Friend, know thyself better, or thou perishest without remedy. Thou mayest pray, but what hope is there in thy praying? Thou mayest read, but what hope is there in thy reading? Yet, read on; this hope there is, in this book there is eye-salve that may heal thee of thy blindness. In this book there is a glass that will show thee thy face. Dost thou know thy own face when thou seest it? Behold thy very image in those marks that are given of an unconverted person; read and consider them, and then say if thou art not the man.

Be willing to know thyself, and to know the worst of thy case: wink not at the light; hide not thyself from thine own soul. Wilt thou never know thy disease till it be past remedy?

Much of our hardest work would be over, if we could see the sinners, to whom we are sent, to be convinced sinners. If we could but open the blind eyes, there were hopes we should shortly raise the dead.

Sinner, of a truth thou art in evil case, whether thou know it or not; thou art among the dead, and there is but a step betwixt thee and hell. Thou wilt not believe it though it be told thee: yet once again, let me beseech thee, come to the glass that is here presented to thee, and narrowly observe whether the very marks of the dead be not found upon thee.

If there be miscarriages in this first work, if thou wilt not understand thy misery and thy danger, there is an end of all hopes concerning thee. Whilst self-ignorance abides upon thee, all the counsels, that are necessary to a man in thy case, will do thee no good; they are never likely to prosper with thee. Who will be persuaded to do that which he believes is already done? Who will take the counsel of the physician that doth not think himself sick? The man of God may spare his pains of persuading thee to conversion, whilst thou art confident thou art converted already. Who will be at the pains of repentance, that concludes he hath already repented? Who will be at the labour and pangs of the new birth, that is confident he is already” passed from death unto life?’*

But, friend, let me reason a little with thee. Thou art confident it is well with thee, yet why wilt thou not yield to thus much at least, to put it to the question. Am I not mistaken? Thou art worse than mad if thou thinkest such a question may not be put. Dost thou not know that thy heart is false and deceitful? Yet because it speaks good concerning thee, must it not be questioned whether it speaks true or not? Be so wise as to conclude, “I may be mistaken;” and thus come to the trial whether thou art mistaken or not.

And if, upon trial, by the marks that are before thee, thou come to be undeceived, and see thyself wrapped up in that misery which hitherto thou wouldst not suspect, the next news I expect to hear from thee is, “What shall I do to be saved?” O, were it once come to that! then thou hast an answer at hand, in those means thou wilt find prescribed thee. And, because they are such as thou wilt hardly be persuaded to use, take in the motives that follow, and they will help down the means; consider both the one and the other; and, if thou dost not find the means proper, and the motives weighty, I think I shall do thee no wrong, if I tell thee, thou art still of a blind mind, and a harder heart.

Friend, the matter which this little book comes to treat with thee about is of the highest importance; it is a matter of life or death. If thou sayest, “the terms upon which life is offered are hard,” consider, is it not harder to die? He is worthy to die who will lose his soul to save his labour. If thou couldst step down into the deep, and see those damned souls, who are bound in everlasting chains of vengeance, and should ask them. Now what do you think of the terms upon which life was offered? Now what think you of that repentance, of that obedience, of that circumspection, self-denial, and the greatest severity, which by the gospel were imposed upon you? If you might once again have the same terms granted you for your redemption from this place of torment, would you yet say, hard terms! let me rather die this death for ever, than live such a life. Shouldst thou ask them thus, that have felt what it is to be damned, what answer dost thou think they would make? O friend! never again “groan under the difficulties of conversion, till thou believe them to be worse than hell.” But I will no farther anticipate my worthy Author.

Nor is there much need I should commend either himself or his works: for the Author himself thou raayest at a small charge get acquainted with, in that history of his life and death which is extant, concerning which I shall only say.

Sic mihi contingat vivere, sicque mori;

and for this work of his, what commendation I shall give of it would he needed no longer than till thou hast read it over: thou wilt find such wine in it as needs no bush. This only I shall say, as far as my credit will go, it is exceedingly well worth thy most serious perusal. O mayest thou hear that voice (such a voice from heaven there is, whether thou hear it or not,) “take up and read;” read friend, and read over again, read and understand, understand and pray, pray and consider, and consent unto Him, who by the pen of his servant calls to thee from heaven, “Why wilt thou die? Turn and live.” O suffer this word of instruction and exhortation to open thy blind eyes, to turn thee from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, that thou mayest receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified. When it is thus with thee, then pray for

Thy friend, and servant of thy soul,

RICHARD ALLEINE.

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